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Bill aims to put flags, Pledge back in Oregon classrooms

PORTLAND, Ore. - Six Republican members of the Oregon House have introduced a bill that would put an American flag in every public classroom and give students an opportunity to read or recite the Pledge of Allegiance each school day.

Currently, Oregon public schools are only required to have an American and Oregon flag near the school building. Schools are also required to give students a chance to salute the flag, but only once a week.

But House Bill 3014, which was introduced Thursday, would change that if passed. Six of the 26 Republicans in the Oregon House are sponsoring the bill.

The bill would mandate US and Oregon flags "of a suitable size" in classrooms and "provide a time at least once daily during school hours for an employee or a student of the school to lead students in the salute of the United State flag by reciting: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."